Former Pilot Honored for Service
CIA flights into Laos were Air America's secret mission

By Charles Etlinger
The Idaho Statesman

Bob Charters didn't wear a military uniform or carry a rifle in the Vietnam War, but he led a dangerous life in the midst of combat working for the CIA.

For four years, the Meridian postal worker piloted his helicopter on missions for CIA-owned Air America in South Vietnam and Laos.

He carried ammunition, food and soldiers.

He was often shot at, and on one mission, a fellow pilot was killed just after the two men switched seats in their helicopter.

Only recently, the Central Intelligence Agency acknowledged the role of the once-secret operations to help stop the spread of communism.
 

Air America veterans received a unit citation from the CIA and medallions at a gathering of the Air American Association in Las Vegas in early June. The medallions bear the number 243, for the number of Air Americans who died, along with the legend, "First In-Last Out." "We did a lot of good for the United States," Charters said. Now 60, he was born in Boise and graduated from Emmett High School. Possessing an inner drive to fly, he joined the Idaho National Guard and learned to pilot helicopters. After completing his guard obligation, he resigned his commission and joined Air America to fight in Southeast Asia. "It was good pay, $50,000 to $70,000 a year," he said.

Gerry Melendez / The Idaho Statesman Bob Charters flew helicopter missions in South Vietnam and Laos for the CIA-owned Air America from 1966 to 1970. Recently, Air America veterans were awarded a unit citation from the CIA and medallions acknowledging the role they played during the war.

Air America's history goes back to the Civil Air Transport, a commercial airline founded in China.

It was bought by the CIA to help the Nationalists in the Chinese civil war.

CAT became Air America and in 1965, flew arms and supplies in CIA operations in Laos.

Charters flew choppers from 1966 to 1970, first in Vietnam, and then in Laos when the U.S. was trying to stop North Vietnamese soldiers from coming to South Vietnam though Laos on the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

He ferried Laotian soldiers 50 miles into North Vietnam.

His buddy, pilot Bill Gibbs, was killed after they carried Laotian troops into northern Laos.

Before their helicopter took off again, "I said to Bill, 'You want to fly in the right (pilot's) seat this time?' He said, 'Sure.' "

When they climbed to about 300 feet, an enemy bullet hit Gibbs' helmet.

"The next thing I knew, the helicopter jerked up in the air," Charters said. "When I looked over, he was slumped in the seat.

"I just took over the controls. He lived four hours."

When Charters returned from the war, he rejoined the National Guard and flew helicopters and held other jobs.

He also was branch manager for a propane equipment supply company and has been with the U.S. Postal Service for 17 years.

He's a building equipment maintenance worker.

Dale "Rocky" Stone of Caldwell, also is an Air America vet.

He was a "kicker" who would push supplies out of fixed wing aircraft and knew Charters when they both were stationed in Thailand.

"I had no qualms about what I did," Stone said. "It was justifiable type of work. We understood there would be no recognition. We weren't there for the glory."

During the war, the Air Americans' jobs were hush-hush.

Pilots would say they were hauling "hard rice" and "soft rice," hard meaning ammunition and soft, people.

Charters also said he worked for Christians in Action. "You couldn't say, 'I work for the Central Intelligence Agency,' " he said.

That's all changed now.

To offer story ideas or comments, contact reporter Charles Etlinger at 377-6334 or cetlinger@boise.gannett.com